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Taylor Hall may not be going to the Olympics, but the Edmonton Oilers will be represented in Sochi.

Ales Hemsky, Anton Belov and Martin Marincin have all be selected for their national teams at the Olympic tournament in February.

Hemsky will suit up for the Czech Republic, while Belov got the call for Russia and Marincin will play for Slovakia.

“Going to the Olympics is always in your mind, but you never know what’s going to happen,” Hemsky said. “I have a different role with the Oilers this year. I was just waiting to see what would happen. I didn’t think about it too much, but I’m happy to be there.”

Hemsky has represented the Czech Republic at numerous international tournaments throughout his career.

He took part in the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy, but was injured four years ago during the Games in Vancouver.

The Czech team is a mix of veteran stars and youth, which includes former Oilers winger, and one-time Canadian Olympian, Petr Nedved. Jaromir Jagr was also named to the squad.

“It’s tough to judge your team before the tournament,” Hemsky said. “Every roster looks good. But it’s a two-week tournament and we’ll play on the Olympic ice. I heard it’s really, really big there so it’s going to be interesting.

“It’s a complete different game from here, you have to get used to the big ice and the systems the guys play over there.”

Marincin was a surprise selection to the Slovakian team, which will be led by Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara.

“I feel really good about making the team,” Marincin said. “The coach talked about me, but I hadn’t talked to him. I saw in the morning when I looked on the website I was on the team.”

Marincin has played eight NHL games in his career. Making the Olympic team is the biggest accomplishment in his hockey career to date.

“For sure,” he said. “I’ve just started my career and I got the call to come play with the Oilers. Now I get a chance to go to the Olympics. It’s very exciting for me.”

Wait, what?

The Edmonton Oilers appeared to catch a bad break on Maxim Lapierre’s goal in the second period.

The Blues centre knocked Oilers defenceman Brad Hunt off the puck in the corner and appeared to stuff it past Ilya Bryzgalov to put the visitors up 2-1.

However, the replay from the in-net camera appeared to show the puck go through the side of the net.

Adding to the confusion was the fact the official scorekeepers decided to award two assists on the play, even though Hunt clearly had the puck in the corner and was simply muscled off it by Lapierre.

Moving on up

Four years ago Alex Pietrangelo was playing with Canada at the World Junior Hockey championships.

Now the St. Louis Blues defenceman is going to represent his country at the Olympics, named to the Canadian squad on Tuesday.

“You grow up as a kid, you watch the Olympics and it’s a dream come true when you get to represent your country on the Olympic stage,” Pietrangelo said. “It’s the biggest stage for hockey and the atmosphere over there will be pretty special with all the Canadians that are planning to travel over there.

“Just to be a part of the group that’s there and to be in the mix from the start, it’s pretty special.”

Pietrangelo, 23, represents the next generation of Canadian stars at the Olympics. The team also includes first timers Jaime Benn, Matt Duchene, Steven Stamkos, John Tavares and P.K. Subban.

“It’s good to see the young players getting an opportunity,” Pietrangelo said. “I’ve been in the league for a few years now, so I don’t know if I would consider myself a young player. To be a part of that mix is really is special. To do it at 23 and to do it with some of the guys that I grew up playing with like P.K. and Drew (Doughty) and to do it with some of the guys that were in my draft year makes it even better.”

Well represented

The St. Louis Blues are sending half their team to the Sochi Olympics.

The Blues have 10 players heading to Russia to take part in the Games starting in February.

Head coach Ken Hitchcock and general manager Doug Armstrong are also heading over as part of the Team Canada coaching staff and management team.

Only the Chicago Blackhawks have as many players represented.

“It’s fun to be a part of, it’s going to make for a fun atmosphere over there, especially if we get to play against each other,” Pietrangelo said. “I’m going to get to know what it’s going to be like to play against some of the guys on our team. It’s not going to be that easy, but we’re up for the challenge.”